idw publishing – Nerdisthttp://nerdist.com
Thu, 24 May 2018 17:30:35 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.5STAR WARS’ Jaxxon, the Green Rabbit, is Coming to STAR WARS ADVENTUREShttp://nerdist.com/star-wars-jaxxon-green-rabbit-canon-idw-publishing/
Wed, 28 Feb 2018 19:03:38 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=574756When Marvel Comics had the Star Wars license in the ’70s and ’80s, the stories occasionally (or more than occasionally) got weird. I use the word as a compliment. One example? Jaxxon. The smuggler is a Lepi in-universe, but to our eyes, he’s a big green rabbit. (Okay, he was called that by others in-universe, too.) Jaxxon hasn’t been seen in the current storytelling universe aside from a cameo on a variant cover for Star Wars #1 in 2015—the issue that marked Marvel’s return to publishing Star Wars comics after a long break.

An appearance on a variant cover does not canon make. But now, it’s finally happening. Jaxxon joining the current storytelling universe, a.k.a. becoming canon, with IDW Publishing‘s Star Wars Adventures.

And if you want to the feeling of '80s Star Wars comics with your kids, our Star Wars Adventures series is gonna feature an appearance by Jaxxon this spring. https://t.co/FABri9AKbe

IDW’s CCO and Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall dropped a tweet stating Jaxxon will appear in Star Wars Adventures in the spring. Is it a cameo? Is it a bigger role? We’ll have to wait and see, but for now, it’s enough to know Ryall isn’t joking. He knows not to mess with the hearts of Jaxxon fans. Because yes, the character does have a following (as most Star Wars characters do, if I’m being honest).

If you haven’t been keeping up with comics news, Star Wars Adventures is an ongoing anthology comic book series starring different characters from all eras of Star Wars. Maybe Jaxxon will star in a handful of pages. We can hope.

How big do you think Jaxxon’s role will be? Do you hope to see him recur in the comics? Hop to the comments and let us know.

Images: Marvel Comics

Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. She likes Star Wars a little. Follow her on Twitter.

More galactic updates!

]]>The Pull List: OLD MAN HAWKEYE, PARADISO, SWORD OF AGES, and Morehttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-old-man-hawkeye-paradiso-sword-of-ages/
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 13:30:59 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=565274Welcome, Wednesday Warriors! It’s the second New Comic Book Day of the year, so let’s start things off on the right foot. Before you head to the local comic shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations—add a new title or two to your list. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. It’s a new year and a new you; make sure that new you reads some new comic books.

OLD MAN HAWKEYE #1

Old Man Hawkeye is proof that the right creative team can make any book work. We didn’t have any desire to revisit the world of Old Man Logan and spending time with Hawkeye as he slowly goes blind just sounded like a downer. Well, Ethan Sacks and Marco Checchetto proved us wrong. Old Man Hawkeye #1 is sharp, heartfelt, and beautiful. Checchetto is an unbelievable talent, you can see the pain and emotion on his characters’ faces. You can feel the emotion and anger on every page. Sacks writes a fantastic Clint, nailing the archer’s voice throughout the issue. We almost skipped this issue, but we thankfully course corrected and added it to our pull list. You won’t regret doing the same.

PARADISO #2

Paradiso is a strange trip. It’s not about cool heroes or epic fights, but rather haunting images of death, destruction, and loss. The robots, androids, and mechanical men who populate the pages are the stuff of nightmares. Its vision of the future feels like the works that came out in the 1980s, in a good way. All this is to say that Paradiso feels all at once nostalgic and totally unique. We don’t know where it’s going or how to even sum it up, but we’re enjoying the ride. We also really like Devmalya Pramnik’s art, even though it’ll probably keep us up at night.

SWORD OF AGES #2

We’re only two issues in and Sword of Ages is already one of the richest, most fully realized worlds in all of comic books. In a weird way, it’s like the artwork for a heavy metal album, where each image seems to have a full story and history behind it. It’s beyond mere fantasy or science fiction; Sword of Ages could probably be boiled down to “a hero’s journey” tale—it certainly hits a lot of the beats required by good mythology—but there’s something else happening on these pages. Gabriel Rodriguez is expanding our mind and pushing the limits.

THE DAMNED #7

Sometimes silly, sometimes dark, The Damned is the best pulp adventure you’ve never read. There are times when this story of life and death will remind you of Hellboy or BPRD, but Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt have really managed to craft something truly unique with this tale. These guys have been making amazing comics together for a long time (go read The Sixth Gun right freaking now) so it’s no surprise that The Damned is consistently great.

Okay, that’s it for us this week! We hope 2018 is an awesome year of comic book reading for you. Check out the complete list of this week’s books below and let us know in the comments what you’re reading and loving these days.

]]>See STAR WARS REBELS’ Hera Syndulla on Hothhttp://nerdist.com/forces-of-destiny-princess-leia-star-wars-adventures-preview-exclusive/
Sun, 31 Dec 2017 18:33:24 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=563931Did you know you needed to see Leia Organa learning to ride a tauntaun with Hera Syndulla and Han Solo at her side? That’s the kind of magic that happens when Forces of Destiny makes the leap from the screen to the sequential page in IDW Publishing‘s Star Wars Adventures. Princess Leia on Hoth is at the heart of the first Forces of Destiny comic. Written by Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinet with art by Charretier, the story follows Leia as she wrangles with a stubborn tauntaun–and we have an exclusive preview.

Like the Forces of Destiny animated shorts, the comics will focus on the heroic moments that happen in between Star Wars films and TV series scenes. They put emphasis on both the big and small choices and how they shape the galaxy. This weekly series kicks off with Leia, and will also feature Rey, Padmé Amidala, Ahsoka Tano, and Rose and Paige Tico. Each issue will have with a variant cover by Charretier and animation cell variants.

Scroll below to read the first seven pages of the issue. And if you’re longing to see what happens next, don’t stress because Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny—Princess Leia will be on shelves at your local comic book shop on January 3.

Does it make you happy to see Leia and Hera riding tauntauns? Are you looking forward to picking this issue up? Sound off in the comments.

Images: IDW Publishing

Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. She likes Star Wars a little. Follow her on Twitter.

Read more about Forces of Destiny!

]]>The Pull List: ALIENS: DEAD ORBIT, MISTER MIRACLE, KID LOBOTOMY, and More!http://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-aliens-dead-orbit-mister-miracle-kid-lobotomy-and-more/
Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:30:40 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=561684Welcome, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again. Time to storm the gates, empty our wallets, and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations—add a new title or two to your list. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases, so treat yourself to some comic books.

ALIENS: DEAD ORBIT #4

Aliens: Dead Orbit #4 Dark Horse Comics

Written By: James StokoeArt By: James StokoeColors By: James StokoeLetters By: James Stokoe

The final issue of Aliens: Dead Orbit is, in a word, perfection. We see the merging of two timelines, the fate of the crew and the ultimate fate of the ship’s lone survivor. It’s bleak and lonely, exactly how a good Aliens story should be. James Stokoe has proved, once again, that he is one of the industry bright stars. The attention to detail throughout this series has been insane, but this last issue really pushes it to new heights. Every page and every panel is meticulously crafted and expertly shaped. Seriously, Stokoe’s work is simply peerless. Aliens fan or not, Aliens: Dead Orbit is a must-read. This is one of the year’s best comic books, hands down.

KID LOBOTOMY #3

With each issue of Kid Lobotomy, Peter Milligan and Tess Fowler push the boundaries of weird. Characters turn into giant cockroaches while other characters reference previous issues (literally, they say stuff like, “I thought drowned you in issue one”). It’s all one big dream sequence that cascades into a nightmare that then loops around to the present in which things are rebooted and reconfigured. Weird doesn’t even cover the half of it. Fowler gets to really go all out, drawing everything from sexy ladies and dudes to mutated monsters and surreal visions. We may not understand exactly what is happening in Kid Lobotomy, but we know that we love it and the way it makes us feel.

RUMBLE #1

The Image Comic series was one of our favorites; we couldn’t get enough of all the explosive action packed into each issue. Much of that could be contributed to artist James Harren, so when we heard he wasn’t returning, we got understandably nervous. Turns out, Rumble is now in the fantastic hands of David Rubin and the book looks great. Sure, it feels slightly different than the previous volume, but it’s a great jumping-on point for new readers and a total blast for long-time fans. John Arcudi’s script is as sharp as ever and Dave Stewart’s colors really bring the whole thing to life. You’ve been sleeping on this comic book about a scarecrow with a giant sword, and it’s time to correct that very serious mistake.

BLOODSHOT SALVATION #4

Jeff Lemire’s corner of the Valiant Universe just gets better and better. His run on Bloodshot is one for the history books, for sure. He continues to make the character’s world bigger and bigger by focusing on the smaller details. For instance, there’s Rampage, the villain of this arc. In this issue, Lemire slows things down and gives us the backstory, fleshing out sad events that formed this big brute. It’s great stuff and it really shows what sets Lemire apart from other superhero comic book writers. Artist Mico Suayan does awesome work here, as well, bringing every twisted and painful emotion to life with hideous detail. Bloodshot Salvation is a damn good comic book that ages like a fine wine.

MISTER MIRACLE #5

Tom King and Mitch Gerads are doing absolutely brilliant, heartbreaking work in this love story for the ages. Not since Watchmen has a comic so perfectly mastered the nine-panel grid and not since King’s Vision series (with artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta) has a superhero comic been so emotionally complex and narratively rich. King and Gerads are producing something here that defies categorization; from the intimate opening pages to the brutal last page that ends with a single, perfect word, Mister Miracle #5 proves to be a modern masterpiece.

Okay, that’s it for us this week! Check out the complete list of this week’s books below and let us know in the comments what you’re reading and loving these days.

]]>The Pull List: BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II, WITCHBLADE, CAPTAIN AMERICA, and More!http://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-batmanteenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-ii-witchblade-captain-america-and-more/
Wed, 06 Dec 2017 13:00:18 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=560259Welcome, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again. Time to storm the gates, empty our wallets, and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations—add a new title or two to your list. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases, so treat yourself to some comic books.

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #1

The first Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series was a blast, so we were pretty excited when it was announced that we’d be getting a second crossover from the original creative team of James Tynion IV and Freddie Willaims II. The appropriately titled Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II is both a great Batman comic book and a great Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comic book. Fans of either property will find tons to love in this second event, especially once they get a look at the gorgeous artwork. Williams’ storytelling and character work is topnotch, some of the best stuff happening in comics right now. The first series is currently on the stands in a collected edition, so you should pick that up and then jump right into this book.

WITCHBLADE #1

I’ll admit that my familiarity with the Witchblade series is minimal. For whatever reason, it was a comic I always wanted to check out but never did. Lucky for me, Witchblade is relaunching with a new creative team and new #1, so it is the perfect time to give the book a shot. Turns out, Witchblade is pretty great. Caitlin Kittredge, Roberta Ingranata, and Bryan Valenza do a great job of sucking us into a mystery about violence, death, and an ancient artifact that apparently turns the bearer into a supreme warrior. I dug the hell out of this first issue and am excited to see where this series goes. I guess I’m a Witchblade fan now.

KLAUS AND THE CRISIS IN XMASVILLE #1

This high-concept one-shot pairs Grant Morrison with artist Dan Mora and the two deliver a trippy, dimension-bending fantasy adventure tale that is like DC Comics at its craziest but with Santa Claus in the lead role. It’s weird in the way that only Grant Morrison can do weird, which is a good thing. Dan Mora’s work is superb, as well, and his crisp, clean line work helps to make sense of all the madness that this issue is constantly throwing at you. It’s the season for believing, folks, and we believe in Klaus.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #696

Nobody draws better action sequences than Chris Samnee, especially when he’s paired with wordsmith Mark Waid and color wizard Matthew Wilson. Captain America #696 continues Steve Rogers’ ride across America to reconnect with the people of the country. This is essentially a one-shot that feels all at once classic and modern in its structure and themes. This is, without a doubt, Marvel’s best book. It’s practically a template for awesome superhero comics and that is no small feat. Beautifully drawn, elegantly told, and featuring an extended fight between Cap and The Swordsman, Captain America #696 is damn near perfect.

Okay, that’s it for us this week! Check out the complete list of this week’s books below and let us know in the comments what you’re reading and loving these days.

]]>The Pull List: JOHN WICK, SWORD OF AGES, and FU JITSUhttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-john-wick-sword-of-ages-and-fu-jitsu/
Wed, 29 Nov 2017 15:30:22 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=558592Howdy, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again. Time to storm the gates, empty our wallets, and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations—add a new title or two to your list. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases, so treat yourself to some comic books. This week is the fifth Wednesday of the month, which means the Big Two have fewer books out, so it’s a perfect time to try something new! Get to the comic book store, people.

JOHN WICK #1

We love John Wick. He is one of the most compelling characters to come along in years and the world he inhabits is fascinating. After watching his first movie, we were left begging for more. Then came the second movie and still we found ourselves desperate to spend more time in that world. Thankfully, Greg Pak and Giovanni Valletta have now delivered a John Wick comic book and we are all better for it. Pak nails the voice of the world and Valletta does a fantastic job of capturing Wick’s look without crossing into stilted photo reference territory. In other words, John Wick #1 is awesome and a great companion to the best film series of the modern age. Add this comic book to your pull list now and embrace the mayhem.

SWORD OF AGES #1

Sword of Ages is not what you expect. It’s bigger than you think, more layered, and it reads like a throwback to the insane science fiction and fantasy of the late ’70s and ’80s. If you told us this was a lost Mœbius comic, we’d believe you. Gabriel Rodriguez, one half of the team that brought us the phenomenal Locke & Key, has created a lush world that begs to be explored. His storytelling is thick and robust without burying you in exposition. It’s also absolutely gorgeous. Rodriguez’s artwork is amazing, as always, but the light color palette of Lovern Kindzierski does much to further the Mœbius comparison. It’s hard to sum up what Sword of Ages is all about because it’s so weird and big, so just trust us when we say you need to check it out.

FU JITSU #3

If you are looking for something wonderfully weird and bombastically bizarre, look no further than Fu Jitsu. We loved the first two issues and Fu Jitsu #3 keeps the streak of awesomeness alive. Jai Nitz and Wesley St. Claire ramp up the oddness with a super-powered Johnny Unitas and an adventure involving frog monsters, French bad guys, and lots of time travel. There’s even a giant mech, and you guys know how much we love giant mechs.

Okay, that’s it for us this week! Check out the complete list of this week’s books below and let us know in the comments what you’re reading and loving these days.

]]>The Pull List: TMNT, SOUTHERN CROSS, and ETERNITYhttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-tmnt-southern-cross-and-eternity/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 12:30:16 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=551353Welcome, Wednesday Warriors! It’s the best time of the week—the time when we race to the local comic shop and pick up a fresh stack of sweet, sweet comic books. There’s nothing quite like the feel of the paper in your hands as you flip through the latest issue of Deadly Class or Punisher: The Platoon. Unless, you know, you read everything digitally, in which case there is nothing quite like the feel of your iPad in your hand as you swipe through the latest issue of Batman Beyond. We don’t care how you read your comic books; we only care that you read comic books. That’s why we’ve picked out a few choice titles for you below. And for you big spenders, there’s a complete list of this week’s books. Dig in, kiddies.

ETERNITY #1

While the Divinity books introduced the Valiant universe to new worlds and creatures in far-off space, Eternity is takes another big step into the grand unknown, growing even more bonkers than what came before. This time around, architects Matt Kindt and Trevor Hairsine are going full ’60s-era Kirby. The only thing missing from some of these transcendent pages is a little bit of Kirby Krackle. It’s too early to really tell what the story is, but we know it involves Divinity, a stolen child, a murdered god, and a group called Brothers of the Bomb. It’s big, weird stuff and tons of fun. There’s something awesome about superhero comics that span galaxies and set their stakes on nothing short of the entire universe (or multiverse). Comics are always at their best when they reach for the stars and it’s clear that Eternity is doing that in a huge way.

IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line of books have been awesome for years now. They started off great and even as the world grew and the cast of characters multiplied, the books kept a consistent level of quality. It’s pretty insane that the main series is 75 issues deep and it’s even more insane those 75 issues have all been pretty damn awesome. To celebrate this momentous landmark, IDW went big with this issue and gave us a double-sized mega conclusion to the “Trail of Krang” storyline. It’s one part epic space battle and one part intense courtroom drama and one part radical artwork from Cory Smith, Mateus Santolouco, Chris Johnson, and Damian Couceiro. Yeah, that’s right, we get four awesome artists on this issue and somehow it doesn’t feel choppy or muddled. They flow perfectly together and there are times when you won’t even notice one artist has stepped out and another stepped in. Ronda Pattison’s colors deserve major props for these seamless transitions since she’s the glue holding this whole thing together. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are one of our favorite comic books right now and we can’t wait to read the next 75 issues.

Okay, that’s it for us this week! Check out the complete list of this week’s books below and let us know in the comments what you’re reading and loving these days.

]]>The Pull List: SHERLOCK FRANKENSTEIN, KID LOBOTOMY, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, and Morehttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-sherlock-frankenstein-kid-lobotomy-the-incredible-hulk-and-more/
Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:30:49 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=549838Welcome, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again. Time to storm the gates, empty our wallets, and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations—add a new title or two to your list. Try something new! And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases, so treat yourself to some comic books. You deserve it.

SHERLOCK FRANKENSTEIN & THE LEGION OF EVIL #1

Sherlock Frankenstein and The Legion of Evil #1 from Dark Horse Comics

Written By: Jeff LemireArt By: David RubinColors By: David RubinLetters By: David Rubin

The more we learn about the Black Hammer universe, the better it seems to get. Lemire’s superhero epic is one part homage, one part commentary, and one part something wholly unique. It’s a superhero world where the stakes feel real, where pains run deeper than a punch from a supervillain. Take, for instance, Sherlock Frankenstein and The Legion of Evil #1. As Black Hammer’s daughter struggles to unravel the mystery of his disappearance she finds herself interviewing several of the world’s most prominent villains. There’s something sad about many of them, something that you don’t get normally in superhero comics. David Rubin brings this whole thing to life in stunning fashion. Rubin also colors and letters this thing, so he deserves major props for shaping the story. With Sherlock Frankenstein and The Legion of Evil, the world of Black Hammer gets richer, deeper, and a hell of a lot more fun.

KID LOBOTOMY #1

With Kid Lobotomy, Peter Milligan and Tess Fowler have crafted a truly bizarre trip. Fowler’s art really shines when she’s drawing odd things and Kid Lobotomy #1 is full of odd things. This issue is filled with brain-eating bugs, ugly monsters, ghosts, and all sorts of sinister imagery. It’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not, which seems to be the point. Lee Loughridge’s colors only enhance the strangeness, at times shading entire panels in a hue of green or red or blue. We’re excited to see where Kid Lobotomy goes, because at this point it feels like it could end up anywhere.

KILL OR BE KILLED #13

This issue brings Kill or Be Killed back to the beginning of the series. The violent cold open that kicked off the story has now been set up thoroughly, but there are still more questions than answers. Our vigilante’s killing spree is either a demonic curse or a figment of his imagination, but the repercussions are very real. Just when it seems like you have it figured out and the end is in sight, the rug is pulled out from under you. Brubaker, Philips, and Breitweiser have made some of the best comics in the modern era, and Kill or Be Killed is up there with their finest works. The story here could be ending or just beginning and we won’t know until the next issue drops. That’s how you make great serialized fiction.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK #709

Greg Pak could very well be the greatest Hulk writer ever. His time with Bruce Banner and the saga known as “Planet Hulk” truly defined the character. With Amadeus Cho, he has reshaped the Hulk and given a new and exciting dimension to the big green goliath. It’s fitting then that Pak is now taking Cho to the realm of “Planet Hulk” in The Incredible Hulk #709. Along with superstar artist Greg Land, inker Jay Leisten, and color wizard Frank D’Armata, Pak is blasting Cho to a world of alien warlords that looks more Mad Max than Gladiator these days. It’s a ton of fun and you should definitely give it a go whether you have been following the Hulk saga or not. Look, Marvel is making a big deal out of this whole Legacy thing, but the number on the cover doesn’t matter. Just pick up this book and go. Enjoy the adventure. If you love it—you will, don’t worry—then you have a whole bunch of older comics to dig into. Or, you can just look forward and buy new issues. It doesn’t matter, folks. I promise. Just read comic books and love them. That’s all you have to do.

Okay, that’s it for us this week! Check out the complete list of this week’s books below and let us know in the comments what you’re reading and loving these days.

]]>The Pull List: SEVEN TO ETERNITY, JUDGE DREDD, and HAWKEYEhttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-seven-to-eternity-judge-dredd-and-hawkeye/
Wed, 06 Sep 2017 14:30:52 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=540190Welcome, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again. Time to storm the gates, empty our wallets, and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations–add a new title or two to your list. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. This week, skip those pricey variant covers and try something new. There is an insane amount comics on the shelf just begging for your attention. Give ’em a read!

SEVEN TO ETERNITY #9

It’s strange how something so bright and beautiful can be so dark and ugly. Seven to Eternity #9is absolutely heartbreaking. Adam Osidis’ decision to abandon his fellowship and lead the Mud King to a fabled well of health has grave consequences. Rick Remender and Jerome Opena know how to tug at your very soul, and the last few pages of this issue prove that. There’s a moment that takes place at the edge of a cliff in what looks like paradise that will absolutely gut you. Complex, bizarre, and fantastical, this series is what other fantasy comic books should aspire to be.

JUDGE DREDD: BLESSED EARTH #5

If you’ve been following what IDW has been doing with the character, you know that Judge Dredd: The Blessed Earth is not your typical Judge Dredd tale. You know it’s a strange, unpredictable, and violent apocalyptic Western, one with no clear-cut good guys–just characters doing what the have to do to survive in a desolate wasteland. Dredd’s old standards of law and order are constantly challenged and reshaped, forcing the character to grow in ways he never has before. Ulises Farinas and Erick Freitas clearly have a long leash with this property and Judge Dredd: The Blessed Earth is all the better for it. Artist Jason Copland does stupendous work, as well, bring all the dust and grim of the landscape to life with feverish detail. Oh, and this is issue features a murderous skeleton killing a bunch of robots and Judges. So, yeah, this is a great comic book, people.

HAWKEYE #10

Look, there are a lot of reasons you should be reading Hawkeye. Kelly Thompson is one of the best writers in Marvel’s current stable, hands down. Her Hawkeye is smart, funny, and heartfelt. Artist Leonardo Romero is brilliant. His work is fluid, graceful, and kinetic. It bursts from the page and moves like the best action movie you’ve never seen. Joe Sabino’s lettering is smooth and coherent. He makes the jokes pop and the action sing. Now, all that said, the reason this issue of Hawkeye of stands out from the rest is because of Jordie freaking Bellaire. The colors in this comic book are next level stuff. From a dark, dirty alley to a bright, fluorescent club, Bellaire transports the reader in a way that few, if any, other colorists can. Hawkeye just maybe be the best thing Marvel is currently putting out.

Okay, that’s it for us this week! Check out the complete list of this week’s books below and let us know in the comments what you’re reading and loving these days.

]]>STAR WARS ADVENTURES Comics Will Start with Rey and Cloneshttp://nerdist.com/star-wars-adventures-comics-will-start-with-rey-and-clones/
Tue, 13 Jun 2017 23:00:05 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=515465IDW Publishing, you had me at Rey and clones. Okay, let’s be real. You had me at Star Wars.

Star Wars Adventures #1 will kick things off. Like all issues of Star Wars Adventures, there will be two stories. For the first and second issues, both stories are written by Cavan Scott with art from Derek Charm. Take a gander at the main cover:

Cover for #1 by Derek Charm

The design is all action and excitement, and I’m into the art style. It reminds me of Genndy Tartakovsky‘s Clone Wars series.

As for the story, we’ll see “Rey’s early adventures on Jakku as well as a comical tale of clone catastrophe.” I’m thrilled to see all the Rey, and I kind of expect it–she’s the current and beloved lead of the sequel trilogy. I’m not one hundred percent certain the clone catastrophe refers to clone troopers, but my fingers are crossed. We saw myriad tales about those characters in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and discovered how rich they were.

Cover for #1 by Eric Jones

We only know one of the stories for issue #2, and it involves the slimy Unkar Plutt. Rey gets stuck in a situation where she has to save him. And because she’s Rey and she’s kind, I’m sure she doesn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand.

See additional covers for the first and second issues of Star Wars Adventures at CBR.

Will you be adding Star Wars Adventures to your pull list this fall? The first issue is expected to arrive on September 6, with the second issue dropping on September 20. Take your speeder to the comments and let us know your thoughts on this new series.

Images: IDW Publishing, CBR

]]>The Pull List: BLACK SCIENCE #27, NOVA #2, RAGNAROK #11, and More!http://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-black-science-27-nova-2-ragnarok-11-and-more/
Wed, 04 Jan 2017 14:00:53 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=468487Happy New Year, Wednesday Warriors! It’s the first New Comics Day of 2017 and we are so pumped to blow some cash on a fat stack of comics. Live on the edge! We’re all gonna die sometime, so before you do you might as well stuff you soul full of that sweet, sweet comic book goodness. So, in that spirit, arm yourself with a few recommendations. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases.

BLACK SCIENCE #27

Twenty-seven issues in and Black Science is still amazing. It changes constantly, shifts focus from character to character, and redefines itself. Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera, through all the craziness, manage to make this one of the most engaging and exciting comics of the modern era. Every issue seems to raise the stakes. This time around, things look as dire as they ever have, with a set of last pages that will leave you drooling and wondering where the hell this story could possibly go. Elegant, insane, and frantic; Black Science #27 is a work of freaking art, just like every single issue in this damn series.

NOVA #2

We really enjoyed the first issue of Nova, but this second issue is a whole new level. Seriously, it’s a beauty through and through. There’s so much heart and hope on these pages. For longtime fans of the character, it’s exactly what you would want. For newcomers, you’ll fall in love, guaranteed. Jeff Loveness, Ramon Perez, and Ian Herring are crafting one of Marvel’s best comics here. Hell, Nova is quickly becoming one of the best superhero books on the stands. There’s moment in this issue where Richard Rider meets some Marvel’s current lineup of superheroes and it’s utter perfection. Worth the cover price just of that one scene.

RAGNAROK #11

Sometimes, you just need a reminder at how amazing Walter Simonson is. Ragnarok #11 serves as an excellent such reminder. When teamed with colorist Laura Martin, Simonson is unstoppable. This issue is packed full of gorgeous art and brilliant storytelling. Simonson is peerless and any chance you have to experience some of his work is a chance you should take. His pacing, his linework, his movement–nobody does it quite like Simonson. There are scenes in this issue that leap off the page without ever breaking a panel. Walter, we salute you.

MOON KNIGHT #10

Moon Knight is a criminally underrated series. This book should be top of the charts. When Jeff Lemire stepped into the title, it became brilliant. Lemire and artist Greg Smallwood (the unsung hero of Moon Knight) are a perfect pairing. Lemire writes crazy superheroes better than anyone, and Smallwood draws madness with precision and finesse. Color artist Jordie Bellaire elevates the book to gorgeous insanity; you have to see the last few pages and watch them turn, flip, and change. Moon Knight is a special brand of fantastic madness.

That’s it for us. What’s on your pull list this week? Share it with us in the comments below!

]]>The Pull List: THANOS #1, BLACK HAMMER #5, REBORN #2, and Morehttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-thanos-1-black-hammer-5-reborn-2-and-more/
Wed, 16 Nov 2016 12:30:01 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=457118Greetings, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again—time to storm the gates and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. This week we’ve got mad titans, weird dimensions, bootlegging werewolves, and a rampaging Godzilla. What else could you possibly ask for?

THANOS #1

The Mad Titan known as Thanos is probably the Marvel Universe’s greatest villain. His nonstop quest for death and destruction have left countless worlds in ruin. He’s had solo series in the past that seemed focusing on humanizing him, showcasing the character as troubled and misunderstood. That’s fine, and those series did a well enough job, but Jeff Lemire, Mike Deodato, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles do something infinity better here. They make Thanos a force of nature. Sure, he has a big hurdle to overcome (spoiler, he’s dying) but he’s still an unstoppable killing machine. When he first makes his entrance in this issue, we get the simple narration, “And Thanos is not happy,” which is then followed by him slaughtering soldiers, crushing robots, and punching a goddamn tank. Lemire’s skills as a storyteller are on full display here; he’s definietly become one of the best superhero writers in town. Mike Deodato is the perfect artist for this book. His Thanos is wonderfully frightening and filled with emotion. Thanos #1 is freaking awesome and we’re fully on board for this story, wherever it goes.

BLACK HAMMER #5

Every issue of Black Hammer draws you deeper into this world of forgotten superheroes. Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston are weaving such a complex and beautiful tale, it’s impossible to not fall head over heels in love with it. This issue delves deeper into the Col. Weird and it’s pretty, uh, weird. Really weird, actually. The Colonel’s journeys through the Para-Zone, a dimension that exists beyond time and space, have left him deeply troubled and forever scared. His hold on reality is tenuous at best, and his ability to interact with other people has been shattered. It’s heartbreaking watching him drift between realms, searching for something firm to stand on, a place to belong. Black Hammer #5 is utterly brilliant. This series just gets better and better with each issue.

GODZILLA: RAGE ACROSS TIME #4

The first issue of Godzilla: Rage Across Time was freaking stunning, and each issue that has followed has been so much fun. We’ve seen the King of Monsters take on ancient Japan, the Greek Gods, and the Romans. This issue is more ancient mayhem, this time curtesy of Ulises Farinas, Erik Freitas, and Pablo Tunica. It’s exciting, epic stuff that would make an awesome movie (your move, Toho). Pablo Tunica’s art is the star of this issue. Sure, here are times when the storytelling gets a little chaotic and hard to follow, but it never looks anything less than amazing. Watching tiny soldiers take on Godzilla will always be a good time. Tunica’s version of the big guy is wonderfully detailed and unique, a real treat for kaiju fans.

MOONSHINE #2

No creative team does the slow-burn crime story better than Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. They’ve perfected it, turned it into a stylistic calling card. Reading an Azzarello and Risso comic is like taking a slow drag off of a cigar, relishing in the complex taste and sensation. Moonshine #2 pulls back the curtain of this world ever so slightly, but it’s also happy to linger in the smaller moments. So much of this story is about a sideways glance, a smirk, or a look of horror. It’s sexy, dirty, and vicious. Risso is a true master, his work on this series is some of his best. He draws your eye and directs the story perfectly. Moonshine is on of the most engaging and rich comics around, but considering the creative team, that is hardly surprising. These guys are the peanut butter and chocolate of comics.

REBORN #2

I’d be lying if I said I could tell you exactly what the story of Reborn is. I’m not even a hundred percent sure why I care about these characters and their adventure. Not yet, anyway. Sure, it’s about the afterlife and this strange fantasy land that we all apparently go to when we die, where an epic battle between good and evil is being waged. I get that. But I’ve also read enough Mark Millar comics to know that there’s something else to this that we don’t quite understand yet. In the meantime, there’s gorgeous Greg Capullo art to enjoy and that alone is worth the cover price. Capullo is as great as ever, and Glapion’s inks give everything a the art a harder, more jagged edge. FCO’s colors are vibrant and lush while Nate Piekos’ letters make a for a silky smooth reading experience. I may not understand exactly what the story of Reborn is, but I know I’m enjoying the hell out of it.

That’s it for us. What’s on your pull list this week? Share it with us in the comments below!

]]>The Pull List: GODZILLA: RAGE ACROSS TIME #1, WONDER WOMAN #5, KINGSWAY WEST #1 and Morehttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-godzilla-rage-across-time-1-wonder-woman-5-kingsway-west-1-and-more/
Wed, 24 Aug 2016 12:00:26 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=433696Happy Wednesday! Some call it Hump Day, but we call it New Comic Book Day. You picking up your comics today? You are? You’re a good person, we knew it. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations, and for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. This week, if you can only buy one comic book, if you have to put all your hopes and dreams on one issue, make it Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1. If you can buy two, buy a second copy of Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1 and give it to someone. This is how we make the world a better place, people. This is how we survive. Comics unite us.

GODZILLA: RAGE ACROSS TIME #1

It’s a good time to be a Godzilla fan. There’s a new movie, a new hotel in Tokyo, and lots of awesome Godzilla comic books. IDW has been pumping out great series after great series about the King of Monsters, but Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1might be best issue they’ve released so far. If you like Godzilla, even a little bit, go ahead and out this on your “Must Read!” list. Jeremy Robinson and Matt Frank deliver an exciting, fast-paced, thriller of a story about war, Kaiju, magic, and honor. Robinson’s script is tight and wastes no time. Things start fast and ramp up to splendid levels of insanity very, very quickly. Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1 also looks fan-freaking-tastic. Matt Frank’s artwork is simply unreal; it’s so good you feel like it’s tapped into a special part of your soul that reacts only to amazing comic books. The level of detail mixed with his incredible storytelling makes this comic book a true work of art. Just look at that cover to get a sense of what you are in sort for, because that energy and scale is present on every page. Paul Hanley and Goncalo Lopes color work is also superb, enhancing the look and feel of the Feudal Japan set story. Their work is a showcase for how much the right colorist can bring to a project. Everything looks weathered and graceful, like a lost piece of art from the time in which the story takes place. Seriously, this is a beautiful comic book. I’m in love, guys, and it’s with a Godzilla comic book.

KINGSWAY WEST #1

Kingsway West is the sort of big idea that comic books do better than any other medium. It’s part fantasy, part alternate history, and part love story. It’s an Old West tale filled with dragons, swords, and one very badass gunslinger. That alone is enough to sell us on this thing, but then Greg Pak had to go and inject it with all sorts of heart and character development. The story is huge and deep, but channeled through the lens of one man’s love for his wife. Really, there’s nothing else like it out there right now and that’s probably the biggest compliment you can give a new series. Mirko Colak brings a lot to the issue, too. Drawing a convincing world with dragons and cowboys is no small task, but Colak makes it look easy. His action is tight and sparse, never over-the-top. Instead, he focuses on the details: the looks on characters’ faces, the smirks and smiles. This grounds a book that’s outlandish and fantastical and makes it feel familiar when everything about it is alien. Throw in some great colors from Wil Quintana and smooth storytelling from lettering wizard Simon Bowland and it’s easy to see why Kingsway West #1 is a winner.

WONDER WOMAN #5

Six issues in (that two #1s thing is still slightly confusing) Wonder Womanis still kicking butt. Greg Rucka is telling two amazing Wonder Woman stories at the same time and that level of comic book sorcery deserves worship and praise. This issue is back to the current Wonder Woman timeline, which means Liam Sharp is back on duty and delivering power and precision on every page. Sharp and Rucka’s Wonder Woman is sexy, strong, and inspiring. She shines through the darkness that haunts the book—kudos to Laura Martin for that wonderfully layered contrast—and brings a heroic energy to every fight. Sharp has also elevated Steve Trevor to the status of super babe. Good looking, charming, and determined, if you finish this issue without wanting to give Steve Trevor a kiss on his luscious lips you are a stronger person than I. Wonder Woman is the DC Rebirth title to beat and so far none of the other books are coming close. Bless you, Rucka, you wicked sorcerer.

WEIRD DETECTIVE #3

The story in Weird Detective gets weirder and weirder with each issue. This Lovecraft murder mystery about a hive-mind alien posing as a New York City police officer is equal parts horrifying and hilarious. This issue has it all: tentacled monsters, gun fights, scary kids, Canada jokes, and Sebastian Greene’s cat a.k.a. the real star of the series. Fred Van Lente’s tapped into a Lovecraft vein that few other writers could hit. Good weird fiction isn’t about gore and things jumping out at you; it’s about the dread, the thing lurking in the darkness, the unexplainable. Guiu Vilanova draws those things in the shadows splendidly, and he hits punch lines perfectly, too. This book is so strange and wonderful, it feels like it could all fall apart at any moment. It’s a tightrope walk of a comic book, but not boring and overlong like that Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie. Weird Detective #3 is perfectly weird and I’m obsessed with it.

CONAN THE SLAYER #2

Man, Conan: The Slayer is great. Like all good Conan stories, it’s populated with busty female warriors, strange monsters, evil men, and lots of blood. In fact, Conan: The Slayer #2 might be the most brutally violent issue of a Conan comic to hit the shelves in quite some time. Sure, Conan is always cutting heads off and stabbing dudes, but there is something about Serigo Davila’s art that is so mean and ugly (in a good way). At one point, Conan literally chops a guy in half and you see every inch of the dude’s innards. It probably helps that Michael Atiyeh makes sure that the blood and guts are red as red can be against a backdrop of earth tones. Cullen Bunn has the voice of this world down, so here’s hoping he sticks around for a while. Here’s hoping we get a lots of issues as visceral and mean as this one. Slayer indeed.

That’s it for us. What’s on your pull list this week? Share it with us in the comments below!

]]>The Pull List: BLOODSHOT REBORN #14, CRYPTOCRACY #1, THE BLACK HOOD #11, and Morehttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-bloodshot-reborn-14-cryptocracy-1-the-black-hood-11-and-more/
Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:00:05 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=416666Hail, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again to storm the gates and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations, and for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. This one of those dreaded 5th Wednesdays, so some publishers keep things pretty slim, but there’s still lots of great stuff hitting the shelves.

BLOODSHOT REBORN #14

Bloodshot Reborn keeps getting crazier and crazier. The end of the strange, drug-induced future world has given away to an island where Bloodshots—there’s a couple of them, including a dog – battle a flying “Angel of Death” every day. Jeff Lemire is killing it on this book… literally, killing the entire cast over and over again. Plus, Bloodshot Reborn #14 continues the trend of being so gorgeous you’ll want to marry it and move out to the valley, maybe start a little family with it. Sure, it can’t love you back, but you’ll love it so much it won’t matter. Your family will tell you it’s a “destructive” relationship, but you know what? Forget them! Bloodshot Reborn is amazing and deserving of all the praise heaped upon it. Mico Suayan and David Baron make a good looking comic book, that’s what I’m getting at here.

THE BLACK HOOD #11

The first issue of The Black Hood started with the death of the previous Black Hood. We never learned too much about that first Black Hood, but that has all changed with this issue. What we get here is a flashback and some insight into what drove the vigilante. Duane Swierczynski doesn’t spend too much time on the details, instead letting the action do the talking, and The Black Hood #11 is better for it. Rick Burchett and Kelly Fitzpatrick deliver fluid, graceful art that stands in stark contrast to the usual bleak ugliness of The Black Hood. This issue also serves as a great buffer before The Black Hood relaunches into its “second season” with a new number one. You like crime comics? Read The Black Hood. You like comics filled with violence and despair? Read The Black Hood. You like damn good comic books? Read The Black Hood.

THE ROCKETEER AT WAR #4

This issue appears to bring the first story arc of The Rocketeer at War to a close and it does so in a stunning fashion. This series has been so crazy good we can only hope it continues on for a very, very long time. Marc Guggenheim’s tale of The Rocketeer’s adventure in WWII has been a blast and the possibilities seem endless. J. Bone’s art for the last few issues has been utter perfection, seriously, perfection. Some amazing artists have worked on the Rocketeer recently, but man oh man, J. Bone might be the best. His cartooning is incredible and his storytelling is top-freaking-notch. If there’s one thing you can count on, Rocketeer comics always look amazing. The Rocketeer at War is further proof of that; it’s an exciting, brilliant comic book that really lives up to Dave Stevens’ memory.

CRYPTOCRACY #1

You might think you know what sort of story Cryptocracy is. You might look at the cover and the first few pages and think, “Oh, I know this comic. I know where it’s going.” You’d be wrong, of course, because you’d turn the page and see the room full of aliens and the giant bearman and then things get really crazy. Cryptocracy does some truly insane world-building in this first issue—the sort of world-building that will suck you in and leave you begging for the next issue. Van Jensen and Pete Woods have built something awesome here, and we’re not just talking about the giant talking bear guy. Wherever this comic is going, we’re going with it. We’re on board, because this is one hell of an awesome first issue.

]]>The Pull List: WONDER WOMAN #1, USAGI YOJIMBO #155, CRY HAVOC #6, and Morehttp://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-wonder-woman-1-usagi-yojimbo-155-cry-havoc-6-and-more/
Wed, 22 Jun 2016 12:00:13 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=414131Assemble, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again; time to storm the gates and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations, and for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. This go around features an awesome new Wonder Woman series, the end of Cry Havoc’s first arc, and some time well spent with the King of Monsters. Dig in.

WONDER WOMAN #1

The future of Wonder Woman is looking bright. Greg Rucka and Liam Sharp are producing a slick and engaging take on the character that’s just the right amount of mythology and superhero badassery. There’s an almost meta commentary in this issue, like Rucka is addressing Wonder Woman’s ever changing origin and place in the DC Universe. If you’ve never read an issue of Wonder Woman, jump on in here, because Rucka and Sharp spend more time looking forward than they do back. Most importantly, really, is how damn good this comic looks. Liam Sharp’s lines coupled with Laura Martin’s colors create a look that is so lush and detailed. Wonder Woman looks unbelievably powerful; she’s broad, strong, and commanding. There’s not a line out of place, not a panel that isn’t drawn to perfection. Wonder Woman #1 is simply stunning.

USAGI YOJIMBO #155

Usagi Yojimbo #155 from Dark Horse Comics

Written By: Stan SakaiArt By: Stan Sakai

Good ol’ reliable Usagi Yojimbo. When the world is a dark and frightening place, you offer a comforting, warm glow of awesome comic booking that never disappoints. Stan Sakai’s cartooning is as sharp as ever and his storytelling is unparalleled. This issue sees our favorite bunny ronin getting caught up in a murder mystery. There’s a severed head, a chopped up body, a cursed painting of Hell, and one very rude guard who Usagi almost has to put the hurt on. Like most of the Usagi Yojimbo epic, this comic is completely new reader-friendly. We can only hope that Sakai is immortal and will never stop making Usagi Yojimbo. That’s not too much to ask for, right?

CRY HAVOC #6

There are lots of twists and turns in this issue of Cry Havoc, which is both a beginning and an end. Everything comes together in a perfect, and horrific, merger of military and myth. There’s moments of extreme and monstrous gore, genuine thrills, and one big reveal that is guaranteed to catch you off guard. Simon Spurrier and Ryan Kelly have created one of the most exciting and unique new comics to grace the shelves in quite some time; considering just how much awesome stuff Image Comics is putting out, this is no small feat. Kelly once again proves he’s a force to be reckoned with, drawing the hell out of every page. The art of Cry Havoc is the real star of the book, and Kelly is the belle of the ball. Come for the werewolves, stay for the art of Ryan Kelly. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s colored by superstars like Nick Filardi, Lee Loughridge, and Matt Wilson. It’s almost criminal how much awesomeness is crammed into this comic.

GODZILLA: OBLIVION #4

First of all, is there an Eisner for “Most Awesome Covers Per Issue”? ‘Cause there should be, and it should be awarded to Godzilla: Oblivion. Every cover this series has done so far is freaking work of art that belongs in a museum. Holy cats, gorgeous stuff by amazing artist like James Stokoe, Michael Walsh, Jeff Zornow, and series artist Brian Churilla. In between the covers, the book is pretty great, too. This story of twin Earths and rampaging monsters keeps getting bigger and bigger. The last few pages of this issue are pure insanity and the sort of stuff Godzilla fans eat up. Josh Fialkov writes a mighty fine Godzilla story and Brian Churilla draws monsters better than anybody. Godzilla: Oblivion, we salute you and your dedication to destruction!

]]>Preview ROM and IDW’s Hasbro Universe Crossover (EXCLUSIVE)http://nerdist.com/preview-rom-spaceknight-and-idws-hasbro-universe-crossover-exclusive/
Tue, 07 Jun 2016 00:30:20 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=408875We know Hasbro has big plans for a cinematic universe featuring multiple toy-based properties—and I even think I know when and how that might kick off—but on June 1st, IDW Publishing announced they’d be doing it in comics first, as part of a multiple-title crossover called Revolution. Beginning with ROM, the event will effect permanent changes on the IDW-verse, wherein moving forward, all those properties will exist in the same reality: G.I. Joe, Transformers, Micronauts, ROM, Action Man, and M.A.S.K.

I had a chance to speak to IDW’s Chris Ryall and Christos Gage, and in addition to giving us nine pages of ROM #1—available in July right before Comic-Con—to preview (see our gallery below), they had a lot more information for us. Perhaps the most surprising thing to learn is that their plans were initially unrelated to Hasbro’s movie plans.

Says Ryall: “Christos and I talked about, in ROM #1—which, by the way, that one won’t be out until July, so I’ll maintain some secrecy there—but we had talked about potentially seeding the idea of other Hasbro Universe characters existing in the same world as ROM, and then in some discussions here and then with Hasbro, it quickly went from this stealth plan that we would develop over time to let’s do a big event this summer, and really get everybody all in the same Universe in a big way, and then go on from there. And in the midst of planning all that is when the Hasbro Movie Universe news came out. So I was aware that these—there were talks going on, but I didn’t know the exact plan and timing of it at that time. Our thing will certainly launch ahead of any sort of cohesive movie universe, and so I would expect them to be different—similar, but different.”

Fortunately for them, nothing changed once the news broke. “We are free to establish things as we want,” Ryall says. “I mean, you never know, once the movies come out, if a character steps up. Suddenly, Black Widow is a much bigger player in the comic Marvel Universe than maybe she was before the Avengers movies. So there are occasional pivots and adjustments that you make once you see how things roll out on a bigger scale in the movies, but yeah—we are completely unfettered and left alone at this point.”

For one thing, they won’t (at least yet) be including the Visionaries, who are set to be part of the onscreen universe.

Also unlikely to appear are Jem and the Holograms, whose IDW comic is frequently hailed as a reboot done right. “I think our plan is to treat it like Jem exists in the overall bigger universe, but I wouldn’t say that Rom and the Micronauts exist in Jem‘s universe,” clarifies Ryall. “What I mean is, you could hear—you might see a character singing the lyrics to a Jem song, or something like that—or wearing a Jem t-shirt, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to have Transformers and Snake Eyes show up in the Jem comic. I think that would just betray everything that the fans like about that book.”

And My Little Pony? Ryall likes the idea of having a humorous side to the universe, but only hints that “I certainly see the idea of somebody showing up in pony form, or vice versa–whether it’s just a one-off story, or just a fun thing.”

Talking about how the characters from different brands will interact, Gage describes it thusly: “It’s sort of like in—for example, with Spider Man, if he’s taking on Mysterio or the Vulture, it’s like, well, why doesn’t he just call his friend Thor to kick this guy’s ass? There’s some degree of willing suspension of disbelief, but by the same token, if you think back to the early Marvel universe, there were these superheroes, but they didn’t necessarily know each other. Spider Man didn’t know how to get a hold of Thor. What I thought was cool about the early Marvel universe was that whenever they would meet each other, there would be this distrust. It’s like, ‘Who the hell is this guy?’ They weren’t necessarily friends. I don’t know. I have nothing to do with the movies or anything like that, but that’s what I’d like to see.”

But Autobots and M.A.S.K. both have transforming technology—is there already a connection there? Ryall responds, “That’s an excellent question that I’m going to say will be answered within the pages of the Revolution event series.”

Naturally I had to ask if they were aware of my theory, as seen on Nerdist News, that the marketing for the new Transformers movie is hinting at ROM. The answers were…interesting.

“I got a lot of e-mails after that article got out there,” says Gage. “I think it’s pretty close to the original ROM logo.”

“It worried me,” says Ryall. “I want there to be a ROM movie, but I would like it to just sort of be a new continuity, not something that’s tacked on.”

For their take on ROM, they’re allowed to use anything that was described on the box of the original toy, but not anything Marvel created for the original comics, including the specific look of the evil Dire Wraiths. Gage describes the tone as “a feel of classic movies like They Live or Invasion of the Body Snatchers, you know—I would say the difference from Transformers, which as you pointed out also has other part-alien beings–that’s like giant robots coming to Earth. The Dire Wraith is something much more insidious. They could be your neighbor, your brother, your wife. If we’re going for that sort of Invasion of the Body Snatchers feel, really creepy, and then Rom comes down into the middle of this situation, and, you know, there again—he appears to be blowing away and disintegrating human beings, and that will lead to complications.”

Adds Ryall, “Certainly in comics, we want to play up the real comic book-y aspects. The Dire Wraiths are a black-magic powered race of aliens, so I think the idea of magic in our universe certainly makes easy sense, especially because comic fans are pretty well used to reading magic-based characters and heroes. If and when we do get to Visionaries, that will make perfect sense with what we’re developing.”

Early reviews of the Free Comic Day preview issue of ROM have, at times, been very nit-picky about him not looking exactly like the original toy—for one thing, he now had fingers. I wondered if any of that had bothered them. “I thought man, as far as design updates go from a 30 year old toy, these are pretty minor!” says Ryall. “But there’s always a certain vocal segment that thinks that means you don’t understand the character.”

He continues: “They were [also] upset that we only had Rom and not the Marvel universe around it. There were people skeptical that it could work without a universe around it. Whether we actually had a universe around Rom anyway, we were going to have fun creating this whole thing, and creating a universe, but now that we do have all these different types of characters, potentially able to interact with Rom at different times, it even sort of circumvents people’s concerns in that regard, that there’s not other big, colorful, powerful characters that we can surround Rom with at various points.”

“So yeah, I think it’s all going to be a blast.”

Are you pumped for ROM and Revolution? What other properties would you like to see added to the mix? (I’m a C.O.P.S. and Crooks guy, myself.) Check out the ROM gallery below, then leave us your thoughts in comments.

Images: IDW Publishing

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The Pull List: GODZILLA OBLIVION #2, DEPT. H #1, BLOODSHOT REBORN #12, and SECOND SIGHT #3http://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-godzilla-oblivion-2-dept-h-1-bloodshot-reborn-12-and-second-sight-3/
Wed, 20 Apr 2016 12:30:53 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=392817Greetings, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again; time to storm the gates and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations, and for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. Godzilla triumphs, of course. Always bet on the big guy, but don’t discount a week that has a Bloodshot and Ninjak team up.

GODZILLA: OBLIVION #2

Godzilla: Oblivion started off crazy and huge, but this second issue kicks things up a notch. King Ghidorah came smashing into our character’s world and it was bad news all around. In order to solve this problem, our intrepid scientists come up with a plan that might be the worst idea in the history of bad ideas. Joshua Fialkov and Brian Churilla continue to do the King of Monsters justice with this fantastic series. Churilla draws a damn fine Godzilla and he draws him a lot in this issue. Every panel with the big guy feels like a perfect shot from the best Godzilla movie you’ve never seen. Glorious stuff from start to finish. Godzilla: Oblivion is proof of a high power, truly the creators of this book have been inspired from beyond.

DEPT. H #1

Matt Kindt’s last masterpiece, Mind MGMT, was a big, weird story that was complicated, bizarre, and wonderful. Dept. H appears to be a more grounded tale, a murder mystery that takes place in a lab at the bottom of the ocean. Of course, this being Kindt, who really knows where it’ll go from here? But it starts off fairly straightforward. Still, this doesn’t make it any less haunting and beautiful; Kindt is doing incredible work on these pages. Dept. H #1 is engaging and incredible right from page one and it doesn’t let up. Much like Mind MGMT, Kindt makes use of every inch of the page, with flashbacks and memories sometimes creeping into the borders of panels and the margins of pages. This is a winner, any way you cut it.

BLOODSHOT REBORN #12

Take a second and just look at the cover to Bloodshot Reborn #12. Soak it up. That madness you see, that unbridled insanity? It fills that pages of this book. Jeff Lemire, Lewis Larosa, and Brian Reber have tapped into a new universe of energy. Reading Bloodshot Reborn is like taking LSD, watching Mad Max, summoning the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson, and then firing a machine gun into a a burning building. It’s crazy in a way that we can’t even began to describe with mere words. If you like action—big, huge, bloody action—read Bloodshot Reborn. When Valiant was reborn a few years ago, Bloodshot was character that seemed to always fall short of his potential. Maybe creators just weren’t pushing him far enough, or maybe the road just needed to be laid out properly first. Either way, the character is exactly where he needs to be now, and we owe Lemire and Larosa a big thanks for that.

SECOND SIGHT #3

This is a comic that was born in the wrong era. If you put out Second Sight in the late ’90s at Vertigo, it’d have been the talk of the town. AfterShock Comics has really, really captured something special with this book, and everybody should be reading it. David Hine and Alberto Ponticelli are crafting one sick and twisted tale here. Second Sight is shows us the ugly dark underbelly of a world a bit too much like our own. The violence is real, visceral, and horrific. This story is heading sinister places, but you can’t look away. Hine’s sharp script and Ponticelli’s detailed, masterful storytelling won’t let you go, even when you want turn your head and hide your eyes. Mark our words, this is the industry’s next big thing, some network or studio is going to scoop it up. It’s going to happen, without a doubt.

]]>The Pull List: GODZILLA OBLIVION #1, BLACK SCIENCE #21, and JUDGE DREDD #4http://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-godzilla-oblivion-1-black-science-21-and-judge-dredd-4/
Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:30:50 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=385369Welcome back to The Pull List, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again; time to storm the gates and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. This week’s got Godzilla (instant buy), anarchist scientists, and Pug Dredd.

GODZILLA: OBLIVION #1

Godzilla is the best. Hands down, the best. IDW has done simply amazing stuff with the Godzilla property, producing one fantastic comic series after another (including the perfect mini-series Godzilla: Half Century War). The latest is this bad boy: Godzilla: Oblivion. Writer Josh Fialkov and artist Brian Churilla give us an action filled first issue that features dimension travel, destroyed worlds, tons of monsters, and a human race that worships Godzilla. In short, it’s awesome. Fialkov has a lot of love for these monsters and it shows in the story and dialogue. Churilla is a beast of a cartoonist and one of the best storytellers in comics. You can’t go wrong with Godzilla. Always bet on Godzilla. So say we all.

BLACK SCIENCE #21

Black Science is a comic series that is so consistently good you almost forget to mention it. It’s reliable, like a Butterfinger candy bar or The Simpsons seasons five through nine. There’s always good stuff packed into every morsel and it always delivers. The story of Grant and his path of destruction through an untold number of universes is one that unfolds slowly, revealing layer after layer of intrigue. Just when you think it can’t go on, that everything is too broken and the characters are too far gone, the floor drops out and the rules shift. The only constant in this series (other than quality) is change, and that is a good thing. Grant is a hard character love, but Black Science is an easy comic to adore. Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera just keep pumping out this science ficiton masterpiece like it’s blood from a severed artery, thick with a haunting and sadistic beauty.

JUDGE DREDD #4

Judge Dredd is another property IDW is slaying with. Sure, the 2000 AD series is still going strong and it’s great, but these IDW books have been a level of insanity that is hard to quantify. This issue is more of that madness. More awesome story from Ulises Farinas and Erick Freitas. More incredible art from Dan McDaid (dude is unreal). More muddy, grimy colors from Ryan Hill. More puppies wearing Judge helmets. Yeah, this issue has a pug puppy wearing a Judge helmet and it’s name is Pug Dredd. If that doesn’t immediately sell you on this series, then you are truly lost. We don’t know exactly where this story is going and we don’t know how long these guys can keep this up, but we are loving the hell out of this ride. Now to petition for a Pug Dredd solo series…

That’s it for us this week. Sound off in the comments on your favorite titles and let us know what you think everybody needs to be reading!

]]>Relive The Bible’s Deleted Scenes in APOCRYPHA NOW (Exclusive)http://nerdist.com/relive-the-bibles-deleted-scenes-in-apocrypha-now-exclusive/
Fri, 25 Mar 2016 00:30:21 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=383679Everyone loves a good deleted scene. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewill have 30 entire minutes of them when it hits DVD. We eagerly pore over every description of what Maz Kanata may or may not do in never-shot sequences for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. But what about those deleted scenes from The Bible? They exist, in a sense, in the form of things like the Apocrypha, the Gnostic Gospels, the Midrash, to name a few. Now though, Mark Russell and Shannon Wheeler, the team behind God Is Disappointed in You, is back to take you through all the deleted scenes, outtakes, and more in Apocrypha Now. Coming this spring from IDW Publishing’s Top Shelf imprint, Apocrypha Now mixes prose and cartoons for a “faithful-yet-irreverent” approach to the scripture.

Before you take a leap of faith at your local comic book shop later this year, you can take a sneak peek at what Russell and Wheeler have planned in our exclusive preview of Apocrypha Now. You can read an excerpt from Acts of Thomas, one of the New Testament apocrypha, in our gallery below. Simply click to enlarge the images.

What do you think of Apocrypha Now? Will you be picking it up? What’s your favorite piece of Biblical apocrypha? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>IDW Launches New TRANSFORMERS Ongoing Series This Junehttp://nerdist.com/idw-launches-new-transformers-ongoing-series-this-june/
Thu, 24 Mar 2016 00:30:49 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=382921IDW’s Transformers franchise is going to expand its comic book offerings this June with Transformers: Till All Are One, a new ongoing series by writer Mairghread Scott and artist Sara Pitre-Durocher. And this time, the focus is clearly on Cybertron, the homeworld of the Transformers.

Transformers: Till All Are One essentially builds on the Transformers: Windblade series, which was also written by Scott. Windblade will be headlining Transformers: Till All Are One alongside Starscream, the current ruler of Cybertron during a time of a peace between the Autobots and the Decepticons. According to IDW’s description for the series, Windblade and Starscream successfully bring together Cybertron’s Lost Colonies into a new Council of Worlds, but Starscream’s brutal rule over Cybertron may provoke his former Decepticon teammates and destroy the “fragile peace.”

Things aren’t exactly peaceful in IDW’s other Transformers ongoing titles, though. In the primary Transformers comic, Optimus Prime has seized control of the Earth and now faces a war on two fronts: the Decepticons led by Galvatron, and the human armies who want to win back their planet and repel both Autobots and Decepticons alike.

The other ongoing series, Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye follows Megatron and the Autobots on the Lost Light as they come under attack from the Decepticon Justice Division. That storyline will come to an end in June, with the release of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye # 54. For that issue, IDW is offering this description: “Pray for your favorites — because not everyone makes it out of this issue alive.”

Since we’re talkin’ ‘bots, why not check out Dan Casey’s favorite robot fights of all time?

Are you looking forward to Transformers: Till All Are One? Which Transformers series is your favorite? Share your thoughts and roll out in the comment section below!

]]>The Pull List: BATMAN #50, ROCKETEER AT WAR #2, BLOODSHOT ANNUAL #1 and More!http://nerdist.com/the-pull-list-batman-50-rocketeer-at-war-2-bloodshot-annual-1-and-more/
Wed, 23 Mar 2016 13:45:24 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=382524Welcome back to The Pull List, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again; time to storm the gates and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations, and for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. The big one is obviously Batman #50, right? I mean, if you buy one book this week, buy that.

BATMAN #50

All good things come to an end. All amazing things come to an explosive, brutal end in a shower of sparks, robots, plant monsters, and cowls. Batman #50 is the end of what might just be the greatest run on the character to date. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo created something so special during their time on the Caped Crusader; it felt like nothing that had come before and yet paid tribute to everything we’d seen over Batman’s long time in the spotlight. This issue is big, Snyder and Capullo don’t pull any punches—hell, part of this issue feels like a scene from Pacific Rim. It’s that big. Beautiful, chaotic, and triumphant, Batman #50 is the story of two of the industry’s best creators going out on top. Thanks for everything, guys.

THE ROCKETEER AT WAR #2

IDW’s use of The Rocketeer continues to be amazing. They tap different creators to tell a story of everyone’s favorite rocket-propelled hero and they don’t let things like continuity get in the way. We loved the first issue of The Rocketeer at War and have been eagerly awaiting this second issue. While the wait was long, it was worth it because The Rocketeer at War #2 does not disappoint. There enough plenty of Nazi pummeling, sexy ladies, and high-flying action to justify that higher price point. It’s a thick book that even contains a hefty prose piece in the back. Somewhere, we’d like to think Dave Stevens is smiling down on his creation as he watches Cliff Secord take flight again and again.

Bloodshot Reborn is a series we don’t talk about nearly enough. Jeff Lemire took Valiant’s weakest title and turned it into a must-read book filled with violence, action, and small, adorable cartoon characters. This annual is jam-packed with everything we love about the book, from hardcore horror action to a stunningly perfect DC Comics parody. If you aren’t reading Bloodshot Reborn this is a perfect place to jump in and check it out. Month after month, Valiant proves itself as the place to go for kick ass superhero comics.

THE SHADOW GLASS #1

The Shadow Glass is a damn good looking comic. You might look at that cover and say, “Well that’s just the cover art, certainly the pages inside don’t look that good!” Well, you’re a fool, because the whole comic looks that good. Better, even. Visually, The Shadow Glass is absolutely stunning, every panel is a work of art. Aly Fell draws sexy, tough women with such grace and style, it’s borderline unbelievable. As a bonus, the story is pretty great, too. The issue moves like a Lovecraft story, with ancient monsters and sinister magic that our characters cannot hope to understand. If this first issue is any indication, The Shadow Glass is gonna be one dark and twisted ride. Don’t skip this one, folks, you’ll regret it.

Okay, that’s it for us this week. What’s on your pull list? Besides Batman #50, of course.

]]>The Pull List: TOKYO GHOST #1, D4VE2 #1, LUMBERJANES #18http://nerdist.com/comic-book-day-pull-list-tokyo-ghost-1-d4ve2-1/
Wed, 16 Sep 2015 16:30:01 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=306086Feeling dystopian on this Wednesday morning? Good, because today’s Pull List has some sci-fi sweetness tinged with a hint of existential dread and technological trauma. With a pair of killer #1 issues that take us to a far-off future and frenetically fun trip to Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, there’s plenty of fun for everyone. So, read on and find out what’s in store for you at your local comic book store this week, on a brand new edition of The Pull List.

Tokyo Ghost #1

Cyberpunks rejoice, because Rick Remender and Sean Murphy have delivered what may be your new favorite dystopian thriller. If you think we’re addicted to screens now, then Tokyo Ghost #1 takes our obsession to its logical conclusion. The comic is set in the year 2089 in a world where TV feeds directly into our brains, giving us a constant IV drip of mindless entertainment. Digital pleasure is like a drug to most of the inhabitants of this world, and gangsters run rampant. Our heroes are the no-nonsense, rifle-toting Debbie Decay and the musclebound, motorcycle-riding Led Dent. As Constables– a weird mixture of detective, fixer, and bounty hunter– they patrol the streets of the Isles of Los Angeles looking to make some scratch. When they take on “one last case” to take down Davey Trauma–a Powerglove-wielding, video game-obsessed psychopath with a penchant for leaving a trail of bodies in his wake–our heroes bite off more than they can chew. The case sets them on a dangerous path, one which will lead them all the way to The Garden Nation of Tokyo, that last technology-free place on Earth. It’s a clever twist on an old apocalyptic/cyberpunk trope, but one that entirely welcome.

The world-building here is absolutely bonkers. From the very first sequence in which Debbie and Led chase down a thug on their motorcycle, to brutally grinding his face to a fleshy pulp against the wall is shocking, visceral, but also immediately gives us the sense that this is a bold new world. The fact that no one around them seems to notice or care — including Led, whose eyes are permanently glued to the TV screens projected in front of his face — lets us know that it’s a terrifying new reality. Remender seamlessly weaves in exposition and peppers it with all manner of hilarious, inventive futurespeak (the nightclub scene plays out like one of Stefon’s SNL fever dreams). This would prove a daunting task for a lesser writer, but Remender expertly doles out just enough information to keep us hooked, making the reader feel as though they’re discovering crumbs along a trail rather than being lectured at by a narrator we’re supposed to love. What really sells these complex, conflicted characters and the grimy world of Tokyo Ghost is Sean Murphy’s artwork. There’s a ferocious, cinematic quality to Murphy’s art that makes the book leap off the page, feeling like a familiar treat and something new and exciting. Come for the compelling story, stay for the existential dread; just pick it up because Tokyo Ghost is a book that demands to be read.

D4VE2 #1

What’s up, butthorns?! That’s, right! Everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed, robotic slacker is back, but this time he has a cushy new job as the general in charge of global defense. For those of you who don’t know, D4VE2 is the sequel to D4VE, a sci-fi comedy about a futuristic version of Earth where robots have taken over. Instead of a utilitarian utopia, they’re pretty much living like metallic versions of the humans that preceded them. In D4VE’s, he was a former defense bot turned wage slave, working a dead-end job with a rude son and an overbearing wife who doesn’t respect him waiting at home. It’s all very Rick and Morty minus the whole alcoholic teleporting grandpa thing. Now, though, D4VE is something of a big shot, having saved the planet from an alien attack. However, when mysterious ship comes to Earth, the ensuing panic threatens to undo all of D4Ve’s hard work, as well as his fractured relationship with his son, 5COTTY. Silly, sophomoric, and surprisingly poignant, D4VE2 #1 manages to capture the spirit of what made the original mini-series such an unexpected treat, while still pushing the narrative envelope. Thanks to engrossing artwork by Valentin Ramon, one can’t help but smile at D4VE2’s cyber-slacker vibe. And thanks to Ferrier’s incredibly knack for creating future-slang, you won’t be able to stop laughing either.

Lumberjanes #18

Thank goodness for Lumberjanes. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I can always count on picking up an issue of this comic for off-the-wall, bonkers, oddball fun. Creating an all-ages comic is hard enough, but making one with as much spirit, vigor, and unbridled adventure as Lumberjanes is damn near impossible. Issue #18 carries on in the series’ proudly silly tradition with a tale of friendship, rock ‘n’ roll bands, and of course, mermaids. Excuse me, merwomyn. When April, Jo, Molly, Mal, Ripley, and Jen go fishing, they accidentally discover a whole race of mermaids living in the lake. To make matters even stranger, these mermaids are in the middle of a dispute that tore a band and, more importantly, a friendship apart. But as the Lumberjanes always say, “Friendship to the max.” And that’s precisely what sets them on a course for getting the band back together in this raucous, delightfully demented story. Fall may be right around the corner, but you owe it to yourself to relive the last vestiges of summertime silliness with this supremely satisfying book.

]]>Witness! 30 DAYS OF NIGHT T-Shirt to Support Your Local Vampirehttp://nerdist.com/witness-30-days-of-night-t-shirt-to-support-your-local-vampire/
Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:30:30 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=291853If you find yourself trapped by a hoard of vampires that have converged on your small Alaskan town because the sun will not rise for a month, DON’T WORRY! We have the absolute perfect shirt for you to wear before you are devoured and drained of all your blood.

IDW Publishing and Fright Rags are joining forces to create a series of t-shirts based on Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith’s 30 Days of Night comic book mini-series. The story, set way up high up in Barrow, Alaska, tells the genuinely terrifying story of a small town overrun by vampires looking for a large and long-lasting buffet of people during a month of darkness. The story has been adapted for film and continued in a myriad of novels.

The t-shirt’s will come in both unisex and women’s and will have Templesmith’s original art from the first series, the trade paperback edition, and other follow-up series. If you are easily frightened and wish to take some precautions when wearing the shirt I recommend rubbing it with fresh garlic. You are sure to keep any vampire away, especially those of the opposite sex.

30 Days of Night was first published in 2002 and made its way to the big screen in 2007. The movie was directed by David Slade and starred Josh Hartnett. A sequel, 30 Days of Night: Dark Days was released in 2010.

Make sure you grab a couple of these shirts before they’re gone, but try to have them delivered during the day. One can never be too safe.

What other horror stories need t-shirts? Tell us down below, and feel free to mention any other vampire-fighting methods the fine people of Alaska might want to know.

]]>It’s The Most Wondercon Time Of The Year: WonderCon 2015 Previewhttp://nerdist.com/its-the-most-wondercon-time-of-the-year-wondercon-2015-preview/
Fri, 03 Apr 2015 20:00:46 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=238438Convention season has returned! WonderCon is kicking off today in sunny Anaheim, and we got early access to the show to check out some of the many offerings in the exhibit hall. There’s something for just about everyone–whether you want to see B-9 from Lost in Space, get comic books signed, or purchase show exclusives, comics, art, and games. Get your wallets and your cameras ready and take a tour of the booths for Boom! Studios, Fox, and IDW Publishing with us!

Boom! Studios – Booth 611
Boom! has show exclusives and early releases as well as signings and panels. Their WonderCon exclusives include a variant cover for Bill & Ted’s Most Triumphant #1 by Braden Lamb and a special variant for Sleepy Hollow Origins that features Jeremy Owens–the Headless Horseman in the series–reading the Sleepy Hollow comic. Don’t think too hard about how he reads a comic without eyes. Or a head.

They also have the first trade for Bee & PuppyCat, which isn’t available in stores until April 15, and beautiful hardcovers for Hit 1955 and Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake. It’s in these hardcovers that you can really see the design aesthetics Archaia brought to Boom! when they merged. And in case you don’t have it yet, run to Boom! and pick up the first trade for Lumberjanes. As far as pre-orders go, it’s the highest selling Boom! original trade.

Be sure to check out this complete listing of their exclusives, panels, and signings.

Fox – Booth 1420
If you’re a fan of Lost in Space, plan on stopping by Fox’s booth to see a fully refurbished B-9. The robot is the original used in the series, and it’s been restored by a team of pros including Ron Hamil. He said they referenced original material and blueprints to make B-9 look just like it used to, and it’s now the “official” Lost in Space robot. It even will appear in a film (they didn’t say which one) this June. The robot lights up and has a speaker and can be worn as a costume.

And in more Lost in Space news, they’ll be accepting pre-orders for the Lost in Space 50th anniversary Blu-ray set. Every episode has been completely restored over the last four years, and the collector’s edition will only be available to pre-order at WonderCon and San Diego Comic-Con as of right now. While you’re at Fox, you can also pre-order some of their latest releases. And this is important: They have eight beautiful outlets next to couches so you can sit down and charge all your iGadgets.

IDW Publishing – Booth 509
Have a nostalgic itch that needs scratching? Stop by IDW’s booth for Jem and the Holograms #1. Yes, they even have a show exclusive cover by Amy Mebberson. It’s priced at $5, and ladies and gents, it’s beautiful. And in another blast from the past, IDW is showing off their newest Artist’s Edition for Jack Kirby’s Mister Miracle. Yes, you can make room for it on your bookshelf. It’s worth it. But if you don’t have space, you can always opt for their mini comics. These packages are super cool because they’re available on the mass market which means they’re likely to get into the hands of more kids and new readers. IDW offers their own titles in the mini format as well as ones from Marvel, and they will have a mini comic tie-in for Avengers: Age of Ultron.

IDW also has their games available, and we took a look at copies of The X-Files and Chew. The X-Files game would be perfect to have on hand for the viewing party you have when The X-Files returns on television. Just saying. And the Chew title is of course inspired by the comic of the same name by John Layman and Rob Guillory.